Illustrative artwork — an impression of The Enchantments, not a literal photograph.
The Enchantments is a granite basin of alpine lakes and larches in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, part of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Washington. Overnight camping requires a permit won through a highly competitive spring lottery, split across zones — Core, Colchuck, Snow, Stuart, and Eightmile — so for most backpackers, where you'll sleep is decided months before you lace up your boots. Day hikers can do the full traverse without a permit, but that shifts the lodging question to the gateway town of Leavenworth.
Why hike here
What sets the Enchantments apart is the terrain itself: a stack of alpine lakes climbing through bare granite slabs, with larch trees that turn gold each fall and drop their needles like nowhere else in the Cascades. You climb past waterfalls and tarns, over passes with long views back down the basin, and through country that feels stripped down to rock, water, and light. The larch season in particular draws hikers who plan a full year ahead, timing a lottery permit or a shuttle day around the few weeks when the needles turn. Whether you're settling into a permitted camp beside one of the lakes or pushing through on a single long day, the basin rewards the effort with scenery that doesn't let up from trailhead to trailhead.
Getting there
Most hikers fly into Seattle, then drive east across the Cascades toward Leavenworth, the Bavarian-themed town that serves as the gateway for hotels, rentals, and supplies. From Leavenworth, the two trailheads that bookend the traverse — Stuart Lake and Snow Lakes — sit a further drive apart, which is why day hikers doing the full point-to-point route need to arrange a car shuttle between them ahead of time. Overnight permit holders typically stage out of Leavenworth the night before entering their assigned zone, then return to town once they're back down from the basin.
Where to stay
The realistic options, closest-to-the-trail first. Book through the official links — we don't list prices or availability because they change all the time.
Illustrative — evokes the setting, not a specific property. For example: Designated camps within the permit zones (Core, Colchuck, Snow, Stuart, Eightmile)
Backpackers who win an overnight permit for the high country.
The overnight permit lottery is one of the most competitive in the country.
Enchantment Permit Area lottery (Recreation.gov)For example: Hotels, inns and rentals in the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth
Day-through-hikers and anyone without an overnight permit.
A comfortable base for a long car-shuttle day hike.
Nearby-town lodgingPermits & rules
Overnight travel in the Enchantment Permit Area requires a permit won through a spring lottery; day hiking is allowed without a permit but the full through-hike is a very long, strenuous day. A car shuttle between the two trailheads is needed.
Gear you'll want for this trip
Matched to the terrain and conditions here. Real products — check current price on Amazon.
Common questions
How do I get a permit to camp overnight in the Enchantments?
Overnight access runs on a highly competitive spring lottery covering the Core, Colchuck, Snow, Stuart, and Eightmile zones. You apply during the spring lottery window and find out whether you've won a spot before the summer season begins. Because permits are so limited, most successful applicants book Leavenworth lodging only after they've secured a zone and dates.
Can I hike the Enchantments without a permit?
Yes — day hiking the full traverse is allowed without an overnight permit, but it's a very long, strenuous point-to-point route that starts at one trailhead and finishes at the other. That means arranging a car shuttle between the Stuart Lake and Snow Lakes trailheads ahead of time, since you won't return to your starting car at the end.
Where should I stay before or after hiking the Enchantments?
Leavenworth is the gateway town for the Enchantments, with hotels and rentals that work for a night before an early trailhead start or after coming off the trail. Since overnight permits are tied to specific dates and zones, it's worth booking Leavenworth accommodation around your confirmed permit rather than before you know you've won the lottery.
Complete gearsets for this trip
Full curated kits built for exactly this kind of hike — what to bring, why, and links to similar gear.
Lodging details are compiled from official parks, refuge associations and reservation systems and can change without notice. We publish no prices, availability or ratings — always confirm current information on the official site before booking or setting out. Product links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; prices and availability are shown on Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.